US visitors down by 30 per cent

The strict approach taken by authorities in the US since September 11 towards visas and airport security has seen visitor figures fall by 30 per cent.

Secretary of State Colin Powell has reportedly told Congress: 'The overall statistic is that we are down 30 per cent since 2001. That's significant. That's a lot of money, it is a lot of people.'

Increased security at airports and tougher visa regulations are acting as a deterrent for holidaymakers.

From 30 September, all visitors from countries that qualify for the US visa waiver programme will face fingerprinting and eye scanning when travelling through US airports.

Authorities had hoped to ensure all travellers to America held biometric passports, carrying individual data, by October 2004. However, for many countries biometric passports are still some way off - Britian expects to introduce them in mid 2005.

Mr Powell has warned Congress that tourists will continue to travel elsewhere on holiday if the biometric deadline is not delayed.